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BIOGRAPHICAL  SERIES  No.  4. 


MISSIONARY  TO  ASSAM. 


liVoman’g  Baptists  Foreign  Miggionai'if  j&oietij, 

OF  THE  WEST. 


“Even  Chrtst  pleased  not  Himself.’’— Paul. 


CHICAGO : 

JAMES  GUILBERT,  PRINTER, 
1889. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2018  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/mrsorrellkeelermOOwoma 


MRS.  ORRELL  KEELER  MASON 

'  jVl ! S 3 ! 0 N A R Y  TO  ^SSAJVI. 


STUDY. 


“Even  Christ  pleased  not  Himself.” — Paul. 

“The  Son  of  man  came  not  to  be  ministered  unto  but  to 
minister,  and  to  give  His  life  a  ransom  for  many.”  In  these 
words  our  Divine  Master  embodies  the  constraining  motive 
for  His  incarnation,  His  life  of  love  and  mercy,  and  His  cruel 
death.  He  has  placed  before  the  world,  in  the  record  of  His 
earth-history,  the  most  beautiful  and  only  perfect  example  of 
self-abnegation.  The  words  of  the  apostle,  quoted  above, 
reveal  to  us,  for  our  example  and  inspiration,  the  secret  of  the 
power  and  beauty  of  this  divine  life.  Unselfishness ,  inspired 
by  a  holy  purpose  to  save  and  benefit  others,  lies  at  the  root 
of  all  philanthropy,  and  is  pre-eminent  in  the  missionary  enter¬ 
prises  of  the  followers  of  Christ. 

In  the  four  sketches  preceding  this  one  of  the  series,  we 
have  seen  two  of  God’s  sainted  ones  rounding  out  long  lives 
of  service  in  varied  surroundings,  fruitful  in  well  doing  and 
rich  in  good  works.  The  other  two  seemed  hardly  to  have 
begun  their  labors,  when  called  to  their  rest  above.  The 
Providence  that  removed  them,  in  the  midst  of  abundant  labors 


4 


and  incompleted  plans,  seemed  mysterious  and  sad;  but  in  each 
of  these,  so  different  in  character  and  age,  we  recognize  the 
marks  of  those  who  follow  the  loving  and  unselfish  Christ. 

Again  is  the  Society  of  the  West  called  upon  to  pen  a  trib¬ 
ute  to  one  of  its  faithful  and  beloved  missionaries.  Orrell 
Keeler  Mason  pre-eminently  illustrated  throughout  her  life 
the  spirit  of  Christly  unselfishness,  and  with  rare  fidelity  and 
hopefulness,  toiled  and  prayed  for  the  souls  under  her  influ¬ 
ence.  The  steps  of  this  dear  sister  were  providentially  led  to 
Assam,  where  she  was  permitted  to  take  up  much  of  the  work 
begun  by  Miss  Bronson,  and  to  reap  the  harvest  of  her  sow¬ 
ing,  as  she  did  that  of  others  who  preceded  her  at  Nowgong. 

Going  back  to  her  early  life,  we  find  that  her  birth-place 
was  in  Harlem,  Delaware  Co.,  Ohio,  where  she  was  welcomed 
by  Christian  parents  into  a  Christian  home.  They  were 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Geneva,  Ohio,  and 
daily  exemplified  the  principles  of  the  Gospel.  There  she 
was  early  taught  that  no  service  or  labor  was  too  costly  to  give 
to  the  Lord.  The  death  of  her  mother,  when  Orrell  was  onlv 
seven  years  of  age,  brought  to  her  the  first  experience  of  sor¬ 
row,  and  bereaved  her  of  all  that  is  meant  to  childhood  by  the 
possession  and  watch-care  of  mother  love.  Of  this  period  of 
her  life  her  sister,  Mrs.  Mason,  a  missionary  in  China,  writes: 

“Although  it  has  not  been  my  privilege  to  witness  the  frui¬ 
tion  of  the  graces  of  character  which  appeared  in  her  child¬ 
hood,  yet  as  the  opening  bud  foreshadows  the  beauty  of  the 
yet  unfolded  flower,  so,  in  her  childhood  she  manifested  those 
traits  of  character  which  afterward  developed  into  the  devoted, 
faithful  missionary. 

“As  I  look  back  to  her  life  in  our  childhood’s  home,  her 


5 


unselfishness,  patience,  meekness,  faithfulness  and  courage 
withal,  stand  out  pre-eminently  in  her  character. 

“The  death  of  our  mother  early  called  forth  her  sympathies 
in  behalf  of  others.  Her  own  troubles  she  bore  in  silence,  like 
her  Master.  Her  brothers  and  sisters  were  always  sure  of  her 
loving  sympathy  and  help  in  all  their  childhood’s  troubles,  and 
in  later  years,  no  one  else  so  nearly  filled  our  mother’s  place. 
But  while  always  kind  and  gentle,  she  was  also  firm,  and 
could  not  be  moved  from  pursuing  the  course  that  she  believed 
to  be  right.  Because  she  was  uncomplaining,  she  was  some¬ 
times  unjustly  treated.  What  would  arouse  my  indignation 
she  bore  with  patient  meekness.  But  when  danger  of  any 
kind  came,  her  courage  was  equal  to  the  occasion.  When  we 
were  yet  children,  how  I  admired  her  courage,  though  not 
inclined  to  emulate  it.  What  a  heroine  she  was  in  my  eyes! 
I  well  remember  one  evening  when  she  remained  at  home  to 
keep  house,  while  the  rest  of  the  family  were  away  for 
evening  service.  Hearing  an  unusual  sound  proceed  from  the 
cellar,  as  if  a  thief  were  helping  himself  to  the  contents  of  the 
pork  barrel,  Orrell  took  the  lamp  and  went  alone  to  the  cellar 
to  investigate  matters;  but  she  found  only  an  unfortunate  rat 
floundering  about  in  the  briny  deep  of  a  fishless  fish  barrel. 
While  always  kind  and  pitiful  to  other  creatures,  it  was  seldom 
that  a  snake,  however  large  or  fierce,  survived  long  after  it 
crossed  her  path.  While  I  would  scamper  away,  she  would 
boldly  face  the  foe,  and  generally  left  a  bleeding  victim  when 
she  turned  her  back  upon  it. 

“One  evening,  when  returning  from  our  grandfather’s,  we 
lost  our  way  in  the  woods.  I  was  terrified,  but  Orrell’s  calm¬ 
ness  re-assured  me,  and  it  was  not  until  we  had  reached  home 


6 


safely  that  she  told  me,  that  she  too  feared  we  would  be 
obliged  to  spend  the  night  in  the  woods.” 

We  find  from  this  testimony  that  she  had  patience,  gentle¬ 
ness,  and  unselfishness,  combined  with  firmness  and  courage. 
But  a  heart  preparation  and  renewing  was  indispensable  to 
consecrating  and  perfecting  these  qualities.  What  of  her 
spiritual  history  and  development? 

Her  earliest  distinctly  serious  impressions  were  received  at  a 
prayer  meeting,  and  were  probably  the  culmination  and  legiti¬ 
mate  outgrowth  of  the  influences  received  in  her  home.  Very 
early  she  evinced  a  thoughtful  conscientiousness  and  a  rare 
sense  of  obligation.  The  question  with  her  was  always, 
u Ought  I  to  do  this?”  not  do  I  wish  to  do  it?  While  yet  in 
her  childhood  she  heard  a  returned  missionary  speak  of  the 
hopeless  condition  of  the  heathen,  without  a  knowledge  of 
Christ,  having  no  heaven  and  immortal  life  in  prospect;  and 
her  young  heart  was  deeply  moved.  She  then  decided  that 
she  would  some  day  go  and  tell  them  of  Jesus  and  His  love, 
and  from  this  decision  she  never  wavered.  At  the  age  of  four¬ 
teen  she  united  with  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Three  years 
after,  death  snatched  from  the  family  the  father  who  had  been 
so  much  to  them,  and  the  home  was  broken  up.  Until  this 
time  she  had  only  the  educational  opportunities  afforded  her 
by  an  ungraded  country  school,  with  very  little  time  to  study 
after  the  daily  tasks  of  the  farm  house  were  finished.  After 
her  father’s  death  her  guardian  sent  her  to  an  Academy 
in  Central  Ohio.  She  made  her  home  with  her  teacher, 
the  Rev.  Henry  Bushnell,  whose  relatives  wer$  engaged  in 
mission  work  among  the  South  Sea  Islanders.  The  story  of 
their  labors  deepened  her  interest  in  missions,  and  strength¬ 
ened  her  resolve  to  give  her  life  to  work  among  the  heathen. 


CHAPTER  II. 


“Get  thy  spindle  and  thy  distaff  ready,  and  God  shall  send  thee  flax.” 

This  quaint  old  proverb  finds  abundant  illustration  in  the 
histories  of  those  who  are  fitting  themselves  for  work  in  God’s 
vineyard,  and  not  less  so  in  the  study  and  teaching  carried  on 
by  Miss  Keeler,  which  proved  directly  preparatory  to  her 
work  as  a  foreign  missionary.  Let  us  trace  God’s  guiding 
hand  in  this  portion  of  her  life. 

From  the  academy,  Orrell  entered  on  her  work  as  teacher 
in  the  district  school  at  Galena,  Ohio.  While  here  she  read 
“Theodosia  Ernest,”  and  began  to  study  the  Bible  regarding 
baptism.  The  result  was  that  she  accepted  the  truth  found 
therein,  and  was  baptized  by  the  Rev.  A.  Darrow  into  the 
Baptist  Church  at  Sunbury,  Ohio. 

Mrs.  G.  L.  Mason  writes  fully  of  the  influences  which  drew 
her  sister  to  missionary  work,  and  of  her  experiences  during 
this  period,  in  the  following  extract: 

“All  unknown  to  her  most  intimate  friends,  from  childhood 
she  cherished  the  hope  of  one  day  being  a  missionary.  Vari¬ 
ous  influences  led  her  to  desire  this.  Our  dear  father  was  a 
missionary  in  a  humble  way.  Though  a  busy  farmer,  he  de¬ 
lighted  to  hold  evening  services,  and  to  establish  Sabbath- 
schools  in  destitute  neighborhoods.  Orrell  loved  to  go  with 
him  to  these  services. 

“Our  grandparents  would  insist  upon  our  reading  the  mis¬ 
sionary  news  on  Sundays  for  entertainment.  Perhaps  much 


8 


of  this  reading*  was  done  because  we  had  to  obey  and  be  quiet, 
and  because  we  preferred  reading  the  missionary  magazines 
rather  than  doing  nothing.  But  this  kind  of  penance  doubt¬ 
less  had  its  effect  in  awakening  in  Orrell  an  interest  in  the 
heathen.  Addresses  by  returned  missionaries  served  to  in¬ 
crease  this  interest.  But  especially  was  she  encouraged  by 
Elder  Darrow  and  wife,  then  in  charge  of  the  Baptist  Church 
in  Sunbury,  to  give  herself  to  foreign  mission  work.  Had 
it  not  been  for  their  loving  interest  in  her,  and  their  encourag- 
ment,  she  herself  said  that  she  would  hardly  have  had  the 
courage  to  have  offered  herself  to  the  Board.  Had  she  not 
been  in  Granville  when  the  call  came  for  two  single  lady  mis¬ 
sionaries,  the  time  of  her  going  might  have  been  deferred. 

It  was  her  loving  devotion  to  her  brothers  and  sisters,  at 
that  time  attending  school  in  Granville,  that  took  her  there, 
seemingly  at  the  sacrifice  of  her  own  personal  interests.  But 
God  made  this  visit  a  stepping-stone  to  the  attainment  of  her 
long  cherished  desire. 

Previous  to  this  visit  and  her  application  to  the  Board,  she 
entered  the  Normal  School  at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  with  a  view  to 
better  preparation  for  teaching. 

Of  her  school  life  in  Lebanon  one  of  her  class-mates,  Mrs. 
S.  M.  Burgess,  thus  writes: 

uWhen  I  attended  the  National  Normal  School  at  Lebanon, 
one  of  my  most  valued  friends  was  my  room-mate  and  class¬ 
mate,  Miss  Orrell  Keeler.  By  both  teachers  and  school-mates 
she  was  highly  esteemed  for  her  earnest,  devoted,  Christian 
example.  In  the  noon  prayer  meeting  her  influence  was  the 
means  of  leading  some  of  her  class  to  Christ.  She  will  be  re¬ 
membered  in  the  Baptist  Church  and  Sunday-school  at  Leba- 


9 


non  as  an  enthusiastic  and  industrious  worker.  After  a  week 
of  hard  work  as  a  close  student,  Sunday  morning  always 
found  her  before  her  Sunday-school  class,  her  face  beaming 
with  interest  in  the  blessed  truths  she  was  teaching.  She  was 
very  conscientious,  and  the  only  fault  I  ever  heard  any  one 
find  with  her  was  for  gently  reproving  some  rude  girls  for 
misconduct.  They  said  she  was  “too  strict.”  But  it  was  her 
careful,  strict  habits  that  made  her  teachers  trust  her,  and  that  so 
grandly  prepared  her  for  the  work  of  the  years  that  lay  before 
her.  Her  devotion  and  her  perseverance  in  Christian  duty  were 
unfailing.  How  hallowed  has  been  the  influence  of  her  pray¬ 
ers!  All  the  time  she  was  in  school  she  felt  that  her  life  was 
to  be  set  apart  for  special  work  for  her  Master.  After  her 
graduation  from  the  Normal,  she  taught  successfully  in  Ohio 
and  Indiana.  Not  only  was  she  faithful  as  a  teacher,  but  she 
continually  sought  to  reach  a  higher  life  for  herself  and  to  lead 
those  about  her  to  the  Savior  whom  she  loved  so  well.  And 
to-day  many  who  were  her  school-mates  or  pupils  remember 
her,  because  by  associating  with  her  their  lives  were  made 
purer,  better  and  happier.” 

As  has  been  before  intimated,  she  was  at  Granville  visiting 
relatives,  when  the  call  of  our  Woman’s  Board  for  seven 
young  women  to  go  out  as  missionaries,  came  to  her  listening- 
ears.  She  received  encouragement  and  sympathy  from  her 
friends,  and  applied  for  an  appointment  to  fill  one  of  the 
vacant  places.  In  July,  1875,  she  and  Miss  Anna  Sweet  were 
accepted  and  appointed  to  Assam.  During  the  busy  weeks 
which  followed,  Miss  Keeler  found  time  to  visit  many  churches, 
and  awakened  their  zeal  and  interest  in  foreign  missions,  espe¬ 
cially  for  the  work  among  heathen  women.  Of  her  experi- 


10 


ences  at  this  time  we  will  let  her  loving  sister,  Mrs.  Mason, 
again  speak  to  us: 

“Although  long  before  this  she  had  given  herself  to  her 
Savior,  yet  after  her  appointment  she  spoke  of  realizing,  as 
never  before,  that  she  was  not  her  own,  and  rejoiced  in  the 
fact,  and  she  said  she  felt,  too,  that  God’s  people  especially 
were  her  kindred.  A  few  days  before  leaving  for  India  we 
were  together  at  the  house  of  a  friend.  While  there  a  pious 
old  colored  man  called  to  see  her,  and  expressed  his  joy  that 
she  was  going  to  tell  the  heathen  about  Jesus,  and  praised  and 
blessed  the  Lord  that  she  was  willing  to  go.  The  whole- 
souled  blessing  of  this  old  man  was  like  a  benediction  and  did 
her  much  good.  After  he  left  she  said  she  rejoiced  to  claim 
that  man  as  her  brother.  And  it  was  a  great  surprise  and  sor¬ 
row  that  all  Christians  did  not  feel  the  same.  Other  pro¬ 
fessed  Christians  spoke  of  her  going  as  a  “wild  goose  chase,” 
and  as  “sacrificing  herself,”  and  like  expressions,  which,  while 
they  by  no  means  made  her  sorry  she  had  chosen  the  life  of  a 
missionary,  yet  made  her  very  sad  and  anxious  about  the  spirit¬ 
ual  condition  of  those  who  cared  so  little  for  the  heathen  as 
to  speak  thus.” 

The  farewell  services  of  these  dear  young  sisters  were  held 
in  Granville,  in  September,  1875,  and  on  the  18th  of  the  same 
month  they  left  New  York  on  the  Steamer  Utopia.  The 
feelings  with  which  Miss  Keeler  set  forth  are  told  best  in  her 
own  words. 

From  London  she  wrote  back,  just  before  setting  sail  for 
India,  “To-morrow  we  sail!  We  are  anxious  to  be  on  our 
way  to  begin  preparations  for  our  work.  I  trust  I  may  have 
grace  and  strength  to  do  much  for  the  Master.  I  have  been 


11 


very  happy  since  I  left  home,  because  I  feel  assured  that  I  am 
just  where  the  Lord  would  have  me  to  be,  and  I  rejoice  that 
I  am  counted  worthy  to  endure  trial  for  Christ’s  sake,  I 
would  not  retrace  one  step.” 

Thus  have  we  seen  the  spindle  and  distaff  prepared;  have 
seen  the  King’s  daughter  with  loving  heart  and  waiting  hands 
looking  up  to  Him  who  awakened  the  desire  for  His  service. 
He  has  placed  the  flax  in  her  hands,  and  she  has  gone  forth 
with  it  to  distant  lands,  to  spin  and  weave  her  life’s  web, 
according  to  the  pattern  shown  her  in  God’s  word.  How 
earnest  and  faithful  she  was  in  the  fulfillment  of  her  task  we 
shall  see. 


CHAPTER  III. 


“To  begin  a  reform,  go  not  into  the  places  of  the  great  and  rich;  go  rather  to  those 
whose  cups  of  happiness  are  empty— to  the  poor  and  humble.  And  then  I  laid  apian 
and  devoted  my  life.” — Lew  Wallace. 

An  ocean  voyage  has  ceased  to  be  a  rarity.  The  earliest 
missionaries  embarked  in  ordinary  and  oftentimes  uncomfort¬ 
able  merchant  vessels.  Six  months  voyaging  around  the  cape, 
with  complete  isolation  from  the  outside  world,  the  travellers 
often  being  destitute  of  many  comforts  and  in  dire  peril, 
formed  a  trying  feature  of  their  initiatory  experience.  Nor 
was  this  all.  Dr.  Bronson  tells  us  of  two  months  more  of  ter¬ 
rible  journeying  from  Calcutta  to  Sadiya,  Assam,  in  native 
boats,  against  a  rapid  current,  with  numberless  discomforts, 
while  himself  and  fellow  passengers  were  at  the  mercy  of  a 
native  crew  whose  language  they  did  not  understand. 

Far  different  is  the  experience  of  the  travellers  of  to-day. 
Misses  Keeler  and  Sweet  embarked  on  the  Utopia,  Sept.  18, 
1875,  for  England,  whence  they  again  took  a  steamer  to  Cal¬ 
cutta,  which  they  reached  in  about  five  weeks.  Their  voyage 
was  prosperous  and  pleasant,  and  afforded  them  the  rest  and 
invigoration  they  so  much  needed.  Instead  of  rude  native 
boats  another  steamer  bore  them  rapidly  and  safely  to  their 
stations  in  Assam,  that  lovely  valley  nestling  among  its  sur¬ 
rounding  hills,  beyond  which  the  snow-capped  Himalayas 
tower  heavenward.  From  their  heights  the  noble  Brahma¬ 
putra  descends  to  beautify  and  make  fruitful  the  country 


13 


through  which  it  passes  to  the  sea.  They  were  warmly  wel¬ 
comed  by  the  missionaries.  Miss  Keeler  joined  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Bronson  at  Gowahati,  while  Miss  Sweet  went  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Neighbor  at  Nowgong.  There  they  began  that  labor 
which  became  surpassingly  dear  to  them,  “work  for  the  blessed 
Master  among  the  women  of  Assam.” 

Bravely  and  cheerfully  had  Miss  Keeler’s  loving  heart  en¬ 
dured  the  hurried  preparations  and  passed  through  the  ordeal 
of  parting  from  friends  and  kindred.  But  turning  from  all 
these  she  writes  from  her  first  home  in  a  strange  land  as 
follows: 

“I  am  thankful  that  the  Lord  ever  turned  my  heart  towards 
the  perishing  heathen,  and  I  rejoice  that  I  am  in  India  to-day, 
instead  of  being  in  my  own  native  land.”  Having  “laid  a 
plan”  and  “devoted  her  life,”  with  her  there  never  was  any 
looking  back  or  withdrawal  of  her  consecration. 

About  the  close  of  1877  she  received  injuries  by  a  fall  from 
her  pony  which  for  nearly  six  months  rendered  her  unfit  for 
study  or  work.  It  was  feared  she  might  be  obliged  to  return 
to  America.  At  this  time  she  wrote,  “It  seems  infinitely 
harder  to  return  to  America  so  soon,  without  having  accom¬ 
plished  anything  for  these  poor  people,  than  it  was  to  leave 
the  home  land.” 

But  this  trial  was  spared  her.  By  the  departure  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Neighbor  from  Nowgong,  Miss  Sweet  was  left  alone, 
and  by  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Bronson’s  advice,  Miss  Keeler  decided  to 
join  her,  and  try  the  effect  of  a  change  of  residence.  Here 
she  was  most  warmly  welcomed,  and  soon  began  to  improve 
rapidly  in  health,  so  that  before  long  she  was  able  to  resume 
work.  But  still  another  change  awaited  her.  Miss  Sweet 


14 


began  to  fail  in  health,  so  that  in  a  few  months,  on  the  one  so 
lately  almost  a  helpless  invalid,  rested  the  whole  care  and 
responsibility  of  the  mission.  But  her  God  was  her  helper, 
and  never  was  the  promise  “and  as  thy  days  are,  so  shall  thy 
strength  be,”  more  fully  verified  than  in  her  case.  Her  health 
and  strength  were  restored,  and  when  Miss  Sweet  was  finally 
forced  to  go  away  for  medical  treatment,  she  went  bravely  on, 
with  the  aid  of  her  native  helpers  caring  for  all  the  interests 
of  the  mission,  superintending  the  schools,  prescribing  for  the 
sick,  training  the  Bible-women,  looking  after  the  household 
affairs,  visiting  the  Zenanas  as  she  found  time  for  it,  counsel¬ 
ing,  advising  and  reproving  the  native  Christians,  settling  their 
family  quarrels  and  church  difficulties,  keeping  the  accounts 
of  all  money  matters  connected  with  the  mission  station,  act¬ 
ing  as  secretary  of  the  Government  schools,  and  withal  being 
obliged  to  depend  entirely  upon  her  own  judgment  and  re¬ 
sources  in  managing  all  these  affairs,  a  responsibility  that  taxed 
to  the  utmost  all  her  mental  and  physical  energies. 

In  writing  to  the  Board  she  says,  “The  work  came  to  me 
unsought,  and  I  have  taken  it.  up  with  many  fears,  but  the 
path  has  been  a  plain  one.  I  could  not  do  otherwise  than  go 
forward.  The  Nowgong  mission  is  struggling  for  life  and 
pleading  for  stronger  arms  to  sustain  it.  Without  a  mission¬ 
ary  in  charge  the  two  grant-in-aid  schools  would  be  closed, 
and  twelve  Christian  teachers  be  thrown  out  of  employment, 
the  Normal  school  would  be  shut  up,  and  our  Mikir  boys,  who 
are  to  be  teachers  and  preachers  to  their  tribes,  would  be  sent 
away.  Our  woman’s  work,  too,  would  suffer,  and  the  Zen¬ 
anas  which  have  been  so  promising  would  be  neglected.  Oh, 
for  power  to  sound  out  the  Macedonian  cry!  Are  there  none 


15 


to  come  to  the  rescue  of  Assam?”  But  in  January,  1880,  she 
was  cheered  by  the  arrival  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore,  and  she 
was  soon  relieved  of  the  care  of  the  station,  and  gave  herself 
with  renewed  zeal  to  her  own  specific  work  in  the  girls’ 
schools  and  in  the  Zenanas.  But  the  imperative  needs  of  the 
work  called  forth  the  pathetic  appeal  to  our  Board :  “I  hope 
you  will  plead  for  another  young  lady  for  Nowgong.  Is  there 
not  some  one  among  God’s  chosen  ones  to  come  over  and 
help  us?” 

In  November,  1881,  her  desires  were  gratified,  and  Miss 
Anna  K.  Brandt  came  to  her  aid,  full  of  zeal  and  earnestness. 
She  was  also  greatly  encouraged  by  hopeful  indications  in  her 
school  work.  Two  of  her  brightest  pupils  were  baptized, 
and  another  was  married  to  one  of  the  most  promising  native 
preachers,  and  set  out  with  her  husband  to  labor  in  the  Naga 
Hills,  the  first  foreign  missionaries  sent  out  from  the  little 
church  at  Nowgong.  Another  gratifying  fact  was  that  one 
of  her  girls  had  successfully  passed  a  Government  examina¬ 
tion,  and  as  this  was  the  first  time  a  girl  had  appeared  at  these 
examinations,  her  school  had  the  honor  of  taking  the  lead  in 
female  education.  In  Miss  Keeler’s  report  for  1886  she  states 
that  four  girls  from  her  school  had  passed  the  Government 
examinations,  and  one  who  had  passed  the  primary  examina¬ 
tion  the  preceding  year  had  been  sent  to  Calcutta  to  take  a 
medical  course  of  study  under  the  Lady  Dufferin  Fund.  This 
is  the  first  step  Assam  has  taken  towards  educating  women  as 
physicians.  But  the  long  continued  strain  upon  Miss  Keeler’s 
energies  had  left  serious  results,  and  it  became  evident  that  she 
must  have  a  season  of  rest  or  break  down  utterly.  In  May, 
1883,  she  writes,  “I  do  not  know  how  much  longer  I  can  re- 


16 


main  in  Assam  before  a  change  will  be  necessary,  but  I 
hope  to  be  able  to  stay  two  or  three  years.  The  thought  of 
leaving  this  dear  people  whom  I  love  so  well,  even  for  a  short 
time,  is  painful  to  me.  I  feel  that  1  cannot  go,  unless  it  is  an 
imperative  necessity.  So  many  have  already  gone,  others  are 
not  well,  and  altogether,  the  future  of  Assam  looks  dark. 
We  are  praying  that  more  help  may  be  sent  soon,  and  that 
those  now  on  the  field  may  have  strength  to  stay  on.”  In 
addition  to  the  station  work,  we  find  her  about  this  time  open¬ 
ing  a  school  for  girls  in  a  Hindu  temple,  thus  “carrying  the 
war  into  the  enemy’s  camp,”  and  taking  a  step  towards 
aggressive  movements. 

The  secret  of  her  persistent  labor  appears  in  the  following 
extract  from  a  letter  written  at  this  time: 

“I  am  constrained  to  acknowledge  the  goodness  of  our 
Heavenly  Father  in  His  care  for  us,  in  that  He  has  begotten 
in  our  hearts  such  love  and  pity  for  this  people  that  toil  be¬ 
comes  a  loving  service.  In  missions  as  in  all  other  work  diffi¬ 
culties  will  be  met,  but  we  can  bear  testimony  to  His  glory 
that,  of  all  the  good  things  which  He  has  promised,  not  one 
has  failed!” 

Under  the  inspiration  of  such  faith  and  such  assurance,  we 
cannot  wonder  that  in  working  out  her  “plan,”  even  during 
the  lonely  sojourn  in  Nowgong,we  find  her  exhibiting  a  cour¬ 
ageous  perseverence  amid  great  discouragements. 

The  next  year  there  remained  no  question  as  to  the  neces¬ 
sity  of  her  return,  and  in  March, 18S3,  she  committed  her  work 
to  Mrs.  Moore,  and  started  homeward,  reaching  this  countr\r 
early  in  June.  Thus,  after  eight  years  of  faithful,  devoted  ser¬ 
vice  among  those  whose  cups  she  found  to  be  indeed  “empty 


17 


» 


of  happiness,”  she  returned  to  greet  old  friends  and  enjoy 
Christian  society,  and  seek  the  needed  rest  and  health.  The 
exceeding  frailness  of  her  appearance,  and  the  extreme  pros¬ 
tration  of  her  nervous  system,  shocked  all  who  knew  her. 
But  it  was  the  body  alone  which  had  yielded  under  the  long 
continued  strain  during  the  life  in  Assam.  The  soul  within 
its  frail  tenement  looked  forth  brave  and  hopeful  as  of  old. 

During  the  eight  years  of  her  absence,  many  changes  had 
taken  place  among  her  family  friends.  Great  was  her  joy  in 
finding  her  brothers  and  sisters — students  when  she  left— now 
active  workers  in  the  church  and  occupying  responsible  posi¬ 
tions  in  society.  Mrs.  Mason  had  already  followed  her  exam¬ 
ple,  and  was  laboring  with  her  husband  in  Hang-chow,  China, 
while  another  sister  had  married  the  pastor  of  a  Baptist  Church 
in  Ohio.  In  her  companionship  she  found  sweet  and  precious 
fellowship,  which  added  much  to  the  enjoyment  of  her  stay 
in  this  country. 

Soon  after  her  arrival  she  placed  herself  under  medical  care 
in  a  sanitarium  in  Cleveland,  Ohio.  Mrs.  A.  K.  Scott,  who 
had  spent  some  years  in  Nowgong  before  Miss  Keeler  went 
there,  was  connected  with  the  institution  and  saw  much  of  her. 
She  has  written  of  her  as  she  was  at  this  time,  and  says: 

“Though  feeble  in  health  and  under  medical  care  the  greater 
part  of  the  time,  she  was  ever  on  the  alert  to  enlist  every  one 
in  sympathy  and  effort  for  her  beloved  Assamese,  and  her 
strong  faith  in  her  Savior  was  to  all  an  inspiration  to  a  higher 
and  more  active  Christian  service.  She  was  ever  truly  loyal 
to  the  noble  band  of  women  who  formed  the  Board  of  the 
Society  of  the  West.  Their  prayers  and  their  wise  counsels 
had  been  of  much  value  to  her  during  all  her  missionary  life, 


18 


that  she  would  not  undertake  to  carry  out  any  plans  nor  in¬ 
augurate  any  measure  without  their  approval.” 

As  her  health  improved  and  strength  returned,  she  felt  a 
strong  desire  to  awaken  an  interest  in  others  kindred  to  her 
own  in  the  condition  and  needs  of  the  Assamese.  Like  the 
Hindu  among  the  Wise  Men  in  Ben  Hur,  the  misery  of  the 
heathen  strengthened  her  love.  Like  him  she  could  not  rest, 
nor  sought  to  plead  weakness  as  an  excuse  for  inactivity.  She 
proved  it  true  that  “the  happiness  of  love  is  in  action,  its  test 
is  what  one  is  willing  to  do  for  others.”  As  soon  as  it  was 
deemed  safe,  she  met  in  Christian  gatherings  those  who  asked 
her  of  her  work  and  its  results.  Often  was  her  gentle  voice 
heard  in  many  of  our  churches  during  the  latter  part  of  her 
stay.  With  quiet  dignity,  but  great  earnestness,  she  pressed 
home  the  needs  of  the  Assamese  and  our  obligation  to  meet 
them  with  the  Gospel.  It  was  a  matter  of  great  thankfulness 
to  her  when  she  was  pronounced  sufficiently  restored  to  re¬ 
turn,  and  she  joyfully  began  preparations  for  her  journey. 
Looking  forward  to  this  step  with  mingled  emotions  she 
might  well  have  said  : 

“I  do  not  yet  understand  myself.  The  most  I  am  sure  of 
is  that  I  am  doing  the  Master’s  will,  and  that  the  service  is  a 
constant  ecstacv.  When  I  think  of  the  purpose  I  am  sent  to 
fulfill,  there  is  in  me  a  joy  so  inexpressible  that  I  know  the 
will  is  God’s.” 


CHAPTER  IV. 


“I  settled  my  faith  into  the  keeping  of  patience,  and  took  to  waiting.”— Lew  Wallace. 

The  Assam  mission  is  the  second  of  those  established  by  the 
American  Baptist  Missionary  Union.  Much  interest  had  at 
that  early  period  been  awakened  by  an  account  of  the  Shans 
brought  to  the  notice  of  missionaries  by  British  officials.  Dr. 
Nathan  Brown  and  Mr.  O.  T.  Cutter  went  from  Burma  in  1835 
to  establish  a  mission  among  them.  It  was  supposed  that  they 
could  be  most  easily  reached  by  locating  first  among  the 
Khamties  of  Upper  Assam,  who  were  supposed  to  be,  prop¬ 
erly  speaking,  emigrant  Shans.  Later,  Revs.  Miles  Bronson 
and  Jacob  Thomas  and  their  wives  were  sent  to  the  infant 
mission.  The  latter  crossed  the  ocean  and  underwent  the  perils 
of  the  Brahmaputra  at  the  heights  of  the  rains,  only  to  catch 
sight  of  the  trees  of  the  mission  station  and  then  enter  the  rest 
above,  before  labor  on  heathen  soil  was  begun.  The  Khamti 
war  forced  the  abandonment  of  the  Upper  stations.  The  mis¬ 
sionaries,  reinforced  by  Rev.  Cyrus  Barker  and  wife,  opened 
the  present  prominent  stations  of  Sibsaugor,  Gauhati,  and 
Nowgong.  Dr.  Bronson  reluctantly  abandoned  the  interest¬ 
ing  mission  among  the  Angami  Nagas,  where  he  had  buried 
his  only  sister,  Miss  Rhoda  Bronson,  who  accompanied  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Barker  to  Assam.  The  fever  which  took  her  so 
early  from  her  work  attacked  her  brother,  and  the  only  safety 
for  him  and  his  family  was  to  seek  the  plains.  This  exper¬ 
ience  led  to  his  location  in  Nowgong,  where  the  most  of  his 


20 


forty  years  of  service  were  spent.  The  missionaries  began 
work  afresh  among  the  Assamese,  consisting  of  both  Hindus 
and  Mohammedans,  the  neighboring  Hill  Tribes  being  largely 
spirit  worshippers. 

The  Assam  mission  has  been  prosecuted  with  varying 
success.  Precious  souls  have  been  saved,  churches  founded, 
schools  established,  the  New  Testament  and  portions  of  the 
Old  have  been  given  to  the  people  in  their  own  tongue,  and 
believers  have  died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith.  God  has  hon¬ 
ored  and  blessed  the  labors  of  His  servants,  though  He  has 
seen  fit  to  try  their  faith,  lo,  these  many  years.  It  is  a  field 
having  much  to  discourage,  and  where  many  obstacles  have 
to  be  overcome.  The  hard  soil  of  Brahminism  has  long  re¬ 
sisted  the  ploughshare  of  the  Gospel.  The  necrology  of  the 
mission  embraces  the  names  of  many  noble  men  and  women. 
Abundant  in  labors,  they  laid  choice  sacrifices  upon  the  altar, 
and  toiled  with  rare  diligence  and  fidelity,  till  called,  sooner  or 
later,  to  their  reward.  Their  prayers  for  the  Assamese  are 
before  the  throne.  Their  tears  often  watered  their  seed  sow¬ 
ing.  “These  all  died  in  faith,”  assured  of  the  final  redemp¬ 
tion  of  the  country  from  the  thraldom  of  heathenism,  and  this 
faith  was  based  on  nothing  less  than  the  promises  of  God. 

Of  late  years  the  force  of  missionaries  has  been  small,  and 
they  have  been  barely  able  to  hold  the  stations,  without 
attempting  aggressive  work.  Thus  it  has  been  true  of  this 
mission  that  the  laborers  had  much  of  trial,  and  their  faith  has 
indeed  “settled  into  the  keeping  of  patience,”  and  “taken  to 
waiting.”  Fully  aware  of  these  discouraging  facts,  Miss 
Keeler  did  not  shrink  from  returning  to  join  the  faithful  few 
in  that  distant  land,  nor  to  take  up  the  burden  she  had  so  reluc- 


21 


tantly  laid  down.  Having  spent  some  months  in  the  study  of 
medicine  while  at  home,  and  furnished  through  the  kindness 
of  friends  with  a  good  supply  of  remedies,  she  felt  better  fitted 
to  cope  with  and  relieve  the  physical  misery  with  which  she 
would  soon  be  surrounded. 

Feeling  the  need  of  a  helper  and  of  companionship  in  her 
work,  she  greatly  rejoiced  'at  the  application  of  Miss  Nettie 
Purssell  to  be  sent  out  with  her.  She  was  appointed  her  asso¬ 
ciate  and  they  proved  congenial  spirits.  A  rare  and  beautiful 
friendship  at  once  sprang  up  between  them.  In  September, 
1885,  Miss  Keeler  sailed  again  for  Assam,  this  time  accom¬ 
panied  by  Miss  Purssell.  They  reached  Nowgong,  Dec.  1st, 
and  were  welcomed  with  great  joy  by  missionaries  and  church 
members  and  school  children,  as  well  as  by  Hindus  and  Mo¬ 
hammedans  and  those  of  the  Hill  Tribes  then  in  the  station. 

Thus,  they  two — the  elder  tried  and  proved,  the  younger 
enthusiastic  and  inexperienced — began  work  together.  They 
found  sad  changes  among  the  native  helpers.  Some  of  the 
most  efficient  had  died,  others  were  disabled,  and  few  seemed 
fitted  to  fill  the  vacant  places.  But  in  spite  of  these  discour¬ 
agements  Miss  Keeler  cheerfully  took  up  her  work  again, 
leaning  upon  God,  and  stimulated  by  her  bright  cheery  young 
helper.  The  last  year  of  her  labors  was  filled  with  the  regu¬ 
lar  routine  of  mission  work,  varied  by  some  jungle  trips  with 
encouraging  results.  Her  health  had  been  unusually  good, 
and  her  letters  breathed  a  spirit  of  hopeful  courage. 

As  Orrell  Keeler  stood  on  the  threshold  of  1887,  did  no 
whisperings  of  the  changes  so  soon  awaiting  her  visit  her 
spirit  in  its  quiet  hours?  Was  not  some  loving  token  given 
her,  as  to  Bunyan’s  Christiana,  that  she  soon  should  be  doubly 


22 


crowned — crowned  with  a  husband’s  love,  and  the  crown  of 
victory  God  gives  his  beloved?  That  she  should  have,  not 
only  earth’s  best  gift — a  loving  heart  all  her  own — but  she 
should  be  admitted  into  the  presence  of  her  Heavenly  Bride¬ 
groom  forever?  We  know  not — but  we  do  know  that  for  all 
this  she  was  well  prepared. 

“Oh,  restful,  blissful  ignorance! 

'Tis  blessed  not  to  know; 

It  stills  me  in  those  mighty  arms 
Which  will  not  let  me  go, 

And  hushes  my  soul  to  rest 

On  the  bosom  which  loves  me  so. 

“So  I  go  on — not  knowing; 

I  would  not,  if  I  might; 

I  would  rather  walk  in  the  dark  with  God, 

Than  go  alone  in  the  light. 

I  would  rather  walk  with  him  by  faith, 

Than  walk  alone  by  sight.” 

With  the  opening  of  1887  a  change  in  her  condition  was 
apparent.  She  complained  of  great  physical  weakness  and 
nervous  prostration.  She  would  not  acknowledge  she  was 
ill,  and  continued  her  labors  till  April.  It  became  evident  her 
strength  was  failing.  Loss  of  appetite,  sleeplessness,  depres¬ 
sion  of  spirits  and  great  nervous  exhaustion,  filled  the  hearts 
of  her  associates  with  anxiety  and  alarm.  Her  devoted  friend, 
Miss  Purssell,  watched  over  her  with  the  tenderest  assiduity, 
gradually  taking  one  task  after  another  upon  herself,  hoping 
by  thus  relieving  Miss  Keeler  of  care  and  labor,  to  avert  the 
dreaded  alternative  of  a  return  to  America.  During  the 
Assamese  Jubilee  at  Nowgong,  in  December,  she  received  a 


23 


proposal  of  marriage  from  Rev.  M.  C.  Mason,  missionary  to 
the  Garos,  in  Assam.  She  warmly  reciprocated  the  love  thus 
proffered  her.  The  marriage  met  the  most  cordial  approba¬ 
tion  of  all  the  missionaries.  All  who  knew  them  believed 
them  to  be  eminently  adapted  to  each  other,  and  that  such  a 
union  would  be  mutually  helpful,  and  enhance  the  efficiency 
of  both  in  their  chosen  work.  Those  who  knew  her  and  un¬ 
derstood  her  pure,  sweet,  loving  nature,  rejoiced  that  her 
beautiful  life  was  to  be  crowned  with  this  dearest  earthly  joy. 
Her  friends  all  fondly  hoped  that  change  of  scene,  surround¬ 
ings  and  associations,  would  prove  beneficial  to  her  health, 
and  that  years  of  happiness  and  increased  usefulness  were  to 
be  hers  in  the  new  home  awaiting  her.  Miss  Keeler  was 
ardently  attached  to  her  missionary  associates  and  loyal  always 
in  her  friendships.  Her  loving  words  of  appreciation  show 
how  hard  it  was  for  her  to  part  with  themand  her  dear  people 
in  Assam,  to  enter  on  a  new  work  in  Tura. 

For  change  and  rest  she  went  to  Calcutta,  accompanied  by 
her  beloved  Miss  Purssell.  Here  Mr.  Mason  joined  them,  and 
their  marriage  was  solemnized  at  Lall  Bazaar  Chapel,  April 
27.  The  next  day  she  and  her  husband  set  out  for  Tura, 
which  they  reached  May  4th,  where  she  was  warmly  wel¬ 
comed  by  the  missionaries  and  native  Christians,  who  hoped 
much  from  her  coming.  The  following  evening,  though 
weak  and  weary,  she  attended  and  greatly  enjoyed  the  weekly 
prayer  meeting.  Little  did  those  gathered  with  her  that  eve¬ 
ning  think  that  with  the  morrow  alarming  symptoms  were  to 
develope,  which  would  soon  remove  her  from  the  new  home 
she  had  only  just  entered.  But  such  proved  to  be  the  will  of 
the  Master.  Ten  anxious  days  and  nights,  loving,  sympathe- 


24 


tic  friends  ministered  to  her.  They  could  not  keep  her  with 
them,  and  as  the  Sabbath  morning  dawned,  the  weary  spirit 
rested  in  the  bosom  of  God. 

Wallace  says,  ‘^The  good  man,  like  the  bad  must  die,”  but 
remembering  the  lesson  of  our  faith,  we  say  of  him  and  the 
event,  “No  matter,  he  will  open  his  eyes  in  heaven.”  To  en¬ 
ter  upon  this  glorious  awakening,  Mrs.  Mason  slept  in  Jesus. 
Miss  Purssell  writes,  regarding  this  mysterious  providence: 

“Five  weeks  ago  to-day  Mrs.  Orrell  Keeler  Mason,  who 
seemed  a  part  of  our  very  being,  was  laid  to  rest  on  the  hill¬ 
side  in  Tura.  Never  was  any  matter  made  the  subject  of 
more  earnest,  conscientious  prayer  than  her  going  to  Tura; 
never  was  greater  desire  to  do  just  the  right  thing,  to  follow 
the  leading  of  the  Spirit,  than  was  in  her  heart.  That  the 
Lord  should  direct  her  in  that  way,  permit  her  to  go,  and  then, 
when  she  had  scarcely  reached  her  home,  take  her  from  us, 
seems  a  mysterious  providence.  These  have  been  days  of 
darkness,  of  doubting  and  questioning.  That  she,  who  had  so 
won  the  hearts  of  these  people,  who  was  so  peculiarly  fitted 
for  missionary  work,  was  so  much  needed  in  Assam,  and  so 
necessary  to  us  who  loved  her,  should  be  so  suddenly  taken 
from  her  work,  seems  very  strange  to  our  short-sightedness. 
We  have  felt  that  ‘to  be  denied  the  privilege  of  pouring  forth 
our  love  and  lamentations  over  the  grave  of  one  who,  in  life, 
was  our  happiness,  is  to  shut  up  the  soul  of  the  survivor  in  a 
solitary  tomb,  where  the  bereaved  heart  pines  in  secret  till  it 
breaks  with  the  fullness  of  uncommunicated  sorrow.’ 

“Here  in  Nowgong,  Christian  and  heathen  alike  have 
mourned  their  loss.  Educated  baboo  and  street  beggar  have 
expressed  the  same  love  for  her  who  was  so  well  known  as 


25 


their  friend.  The  Zenana  women  want  to  talk  of  her  all  the 
time.  To  the  Society  of  the  West,  to  the  work  in  Assam,  to 
our  home  and  to  our  hearts,  the  loss  is  irreparable. 

“In  1S83,  when  it  was  thought  that  she  must  go  home,  she 
wrote  in  a  little  diary  which  we  find  among  her  papers,  ‘I  feel 
that  I  cannot  go  to  America  and  leave  these  people.’  At  an¬ 
other  time,  when  visiting  missionaries  were  here  at  an  ordina¬ 
tion,  she  wrote,  ‘How  many,  many  times  I  have  sat  alone 
among  these  native  Christians.  Now  the  Lord  has  permitted 
me  to  see  six  missionaries  here,  all  interested  in  the  people  I 
love — the  Assamese .’  She  did  love  them  as  her  life,  and  suff¬ 
ered  for  them  as  few  people  are  capable  of  suffering.  Never 
sparing  herself,  she  literally  gave  her  soul  and  body  to  this 
work.  The  love  and  sympathy  which  were  manifested  by 
her  every  look,  word  and  act,  won  all  hearts  to  her.  To  re¬ 
lieve  and  soothe  the  weary,  aching  body,  to  comfort  the  sor¬ 
rowing  heart,  brought  joy  to  her  own  loving  heart,  and  she 
never  was  more  beautiful  than  when  engaged  in  her  daily* 
ministrations  among  these  degraded  people.  She  left  to  us,  as 
a  precious  legacy,  this,  her  unfinished  work,  as  she  called  it; 
and  as  it  is  impossible  to  go  about  the  house  without  seeing 
her  finger-marks  and  feeling  that  we  see  or  hear  her,  so  it  is 
impossible  to  go  among  these  people  and  not  feel  her 
influence. 

“She  but  entered  the  door  of  the  waiting  home  in  Tura, 
and  was  gone  ere  the  Garo  people  realized  what  they  had  lost. 
But  while  the  Kullung  river  washes  these  sand  banks  of 
Assam,  the  influence  of  Orrell  Keeler  Mason  will  be  felt  in 
Nowgong  and  the  surrounding  country. 

“She  had  translated  Moody’s  “Prevailing  Prayer”  into 
Assamese,  hoping  soon  to  revise  and  publish  it. 


26 


“Heaven  has  gained  an  angel,  but  we  hope  she  will  be  a 
‘ministering  spirit’  to  the  many  friends  so  sorely  bereaved. ’ 

Mr.  Mason  pays  her  the  following  beautiful  tribute: 

“Her  love  and  devotion  was  pure,  rich,  and  deep.  Her 
whole  soul  was  in  her  work  for  her  Savior,  and  her  whole 
heart  ached  for  sinners  out  of  Christ.  Her  love  and  sympa¬ 
thy  touched  those  hard  Hindu  hearts,  as  few  have  the  power 
of  doing.  It  was  a  blessing  to  have  a  share  in  that  love, 
though  but  for  a  day.  But,  oh!  what  hopes  are  blasted !  when 
I  had  thought  this  blessing  mine,  for  daily  help  in  the  per¬ 
plexities  of  my  work,  for  a  constant  aid  in  the  conquering  of 
my  daily  faults,  and  for  an  hourly  tonic  to  a  nobler,  truer 
Christian  life.  These  past  four  days  I  have  been  struggling 
with  all  my  might  to  get  upon  my  feet.  The  blow  is  so 
severe.  I  am  benumbed.  I  lift  up  my  head  and  think  I 
can  rise,  but,  oh!  how  weak!  I  stretch  forth  my  hand  to 
work,  but  it  serves  me  so  feebly.  May  the  God  of  mercies 
hear  the  prayers  of  this  day,  and  help  me  to  feel  the  Father’s 
arms  sustaining  me,  and  enable  me  to  do  better  service,  and 
make  greater  efforts  for  these  poor  souls  $0  whom  so  few  have 
come  to  tell  of  a  Savior’s  love.” 

In  a  later  letter  he  says: 

“I  regarded  her  as  one  among  a  thousand.  The  unselfish, 
Christlike  kindness  which  flowed  easily,  and,  as  it  appeared 
naturally  from  her  daily  life,  was  a  characteristic  of  her  work. 
She  plead  with  the  powers  of  love,  both  with  the  heathen, 
and  for  harmony  and  united  work  with  the  Christians.  She 
found  much  to  discourage,  for  sin  has  full  sway  among  this 
people.  ‘They  that  sow  in  tears,  shall  reap  in  joy,’  is  the  faith¬ 
ful  promise  which  I  have  had  inscribed  upon  her  tombstone.” 


27 


Thus,  suddenly,  in  the  midst  of  harvests  waiting  to  be  gar¬ 
nered,  desert  places  needing  to  be  sowed  with  the  Gospel  seed, 
with  new  paths  and  fresh  joys  opening  before  her,  our  sister 
was  taken  to  rest  forever  in  her  Father’s  home  above. 

In  closing  this  study  of  a  lovely,  consecrated  Christian  life, 
we  cannot  do  better  than  to  append  a  loving  tribute  from  her 
associate  and  friend.  It  is  earnestly  hoped  that  the  perusal  of 
this  sketch  may  lead  some  to  follow  in  the  steps  and  emulate 
the  spirit  of  the  departed.  Also  that  new  interest  may  be 
awakened  in  the  Assam  mission,  resulting  in  prompt  reinforce¬ 
ment  and  vigorous  prosecution  of  work  among  the  Assamese, 
whom  so  many  sainted  ones  have  loved,  and  for  whom  they 
have  devoted  their  labors.  Others  labored,  but  we  may  enter 
into  their  labors. 


.A.  TRIBUTE 

TO 

HER  FRIEND  AND  FELLOW  WORKER. 

BY  MISS  NETTIE  PURSSELL. 


“No  life  can  be  pure  in  its  purpose  and  strong  in  its  strife,  and  all  life  not  be  purer 
and  stronger  thereby.” 

Mrs.  Orrell  Keeler  Mason’s  life  was  one  singularly  pure  in 
its  purpose.  A  two-fold  purpose:  To  be  like  Jesus,  and  to 
win  others  to  Him. 

Everywhere,  under  the  most  trying  circumstances,  there 
were  the  same  sweetness,  gentleness,  and  patience.  I  have 
seen  perfect  strangers  tell  her  their  heart  sorrows  because  the 
spirit  of  love  and  sympathy  was  manifested  in  her  expression 
and  manner  to  such  a  degree  that  they  instinctively  knew  her 
to  be  their  friend. 

In  travelling  with  her,  again  and  again,  persons  have  spoken 
to  me  about  the  manifest  loveliness  of  her  character.  Shrink¬ 
ing  from  publicity,  naturally  dependent  and  clinging  in  dis¬ 
position,  she  never  hesitated  or  shrank  when  duty  called  or 
when  she  could  help  another,  even  if  it  meant  to  brave  danger 
single-handed  or  to  meet  death  face  to  face.  In  the  fullest 
sense  she  lived  for  others  and  spared  not  herself.  In  all  the 
little  things  which  go  to  make  up  our  lives  and  to  photograph 
our  characters  upon  those  about  us,  there  was  in  hers  nothing 
to  mar  the  beauty  and  loveliness  of  the  picture. 


29 


She  was  so  Christlike  and  lived  so  near  to  the  Father,  that 
it  was  often  with  feelings  of  the  deepest  reverence  that  I 
touched  her.  The  world  is  better  because  she  lived;  there 
are  many  who  will  say — because  of  her  life  I  am  saved;  those 
who  knew  her  most  intimately  have  higher  and  holier  aspira¬ 
tions  because  of  her  influence. 

Of  the  daily  and  most  confidential  companionship  of  one 
year  and  nearly  eight  months,  I  have  only  the  most  sacred 
recollections.  And  the  love  which  began  with  the  first  clasp 
of  the  hand  and  deepened  to  the  end  of  her  life,  is  only  strength¬ 
ened  by  the  separation,  until  it  shall  be  renewed  in  eternity. 


Chicago,  Aug.  31ST,  1888. 

I  thankfully  acknowledge  the  aid  received  in  the  writing  of  this  sketch 
from  a  manuscript  sketch  of  Mrs-  Mason  prepared  by  Mrs.  A.  K.  Scott, 
and  from  an  article  printed  in  the  Journal  and  Messenger,  by  Mrs.  Shep- 
hardson,  about  the  time  the  news  of  her  death  was  received. 

Mrs.  C.  F.  Tolman. 


THE  HINDU  MAIDEN. 


BY  ORRELL  KEELER. 

Think  not  ye  favored  ones  of  Christian  lands  that  the  one  God  like 
element  in  human  nature  is  your  gift  alone.  Nay.  It  lies  embosomed  in 
the  hearts  of  the  ignorant  heathen,  and  ever  and  anon  displays  itself  in  acts 
of  heroic  devotion.  The  story  I  am  about  to  relate  is  no  fiction;  with  the 
facts  and  individuals  I  am  personally  acquainted. 

In  the  Province  of  Assam  is  a  small  village  which  I  shall  call  “Bel- 
Tola.”  Here  lived  two  high  caste  Hindu  families.  According  to  Hindu 
custom,  the  youngest  daughter  of  one  family,  whom  I  shall  call  “Kamini,” 
was  betrothed  in  childhood  to  “Gopal,”  an  idolized  son  of  the  other 
family.  While  children  they  pla}ed  together  and  their  interest  in  each 
other  ripened  into  affection. 

The  usual  betrothal  ceremonies  had  taken  place,  but  the  nuptial  day 
had  been  delayed  beyond  the  usual  time.  Kamini  remaining  secluded  in 
her  father’s  house,  not  permitted  to  see  Gopal,  was  joyfully  looking  for¬ 
ward  to  the  time  when  she  should  become  his  bride.  A  few  years  passed 
in  happy,  hopeful  expectation  to  Kamini,  but  they  were  working  mighty 
changes  in  the  mind  of  Gopal.  He  had  met  a  Christian  teacher  in  his 
boyhood  and  from  him  he  had  received  a  little  tract.  A  few  simple  truths 
had  taken  deep  root  in  his  heart,  these  had  developed  a  spirit  of  inquiry, 
and  inquiry  had  grown  to  conviction.  He  resolved,  come  weal  or  woe.  to 
obey  his  conscience  and  his  God.  He  sought  his  teacher,  unburdened  his 
heart,  and  shortly  afterward  was  seen  proclaiming  his  faith  in  Christ  by 
baptism.  The  news  spread  and  the  dreadful  tidings  reached  Kamini’s 
ears.  .  Gopal  was  a  Christian.  She  spent  weary  days  and  nights  in  bitter 
tears.  To  her  he  was  worse  than  dead.  Soon  her  father  sickened  and 
died.  She  felt  that  all  was  dark,  that  her  life  was  desolate.  Her  beloved 
father’s  voice  was  silent  and  her  betrothed  had  forsaken  not  only  her  but 
his  own  family  and  friends  for  a  new  and  strange  religion.  She  refused  to 


31 


be  comforted.  At  last  her  mother  and  friends  said  she  must  be  married  to 
another  more  worthy  than  Gopal.  They  made  choice  of  one  more  learned 
and  were  careful  to  ascertain  that  he  was  true  to  his  caste  and  his  religion. 
She  begged  of  them  not  to  marry  her  to  one  whom  she  knew  not,  nor  cared 
to  know,  and  said,  “Let  me  share  the  widow’s  fate  and  ever  mourn  the  loss 
of  him  whom  alone  I  love.”  But  they  heeded  not  her  entreaties.  At  an 
early  date  the  wedding  day  was  appointed  and  they  hastened  the  prepara¬ 
tions. 

In  the  meantime  Gopal  was  happy  in  the  joy  of  a  Christian’s  first  love, 
though  oftentimes  a  sadness  entered  his  heart  at  the  remembrance  of  his 
broken  family  ties,  at  the  remembrance  of  his  dearly  beloved  Kamini  only 
his  faith  and  courage  faltered.  He  had  found  peace  in  his  soul  and  he 
knew  that  his  name  was  written  above,  but  could  he  lay  the  idol  of  his 
heart  upon  the  altar?  Through  grace  he  was  enabled  at  length  to  say, 
“Yes,  Lord,  all  for  Thee.”  Faith  triumphed.  He  resolved  henceforth  to 
cast  his  lot  with  the  despised  Christians.  A  few  months  passed.  Gopal 
being  weary  with  his  loneliness  and  unaccustomed  to  providing  for  his 
temporal  wants,  decided  to  take  a  Christian  wife.  Fie  chose  one  whose 
name  was  Lilawote.  He  made  known  to  her  his  intentions  and  on  receiv¬ 
ing  his  proposition  she  coquettishly  delayed  her  answer.  At  last  he  insisted 
on  a  definite  answer  and  gave  her  a  definite  time  in  which  to  decide.  But 
no  reply  came. 

In  the  meantime,  Kamini  remaining  in  thoughtful  seclusion,  tenderly 
cherished  memories  of  the  past.  The  rigid  rules  of  her  religion  became 
became  more  and  more  distasteful  to  her.  Fler  anger  toward  Gopal  had 
changed  to  sympathy  and  admiration  of  his  heroism,  and  as  she  examined 
her  own  heart  she  knew  that  she  loved  him  more  than  ever.  But  what  a 
barrier  lay  between  them.  Caste  and  Christianity .  The  time  was  rapidly 
approaching  when  she  was  to  marry  the  Hindu  scholar.  The  thought 
brought  only  sadness  to  her  heart.  At  length  affection  triumphed  and  she 
said,  “Why  should  I  forsake  the  one  chosen  for  me  in  childhood  by  my 
departed  father?”  Gopal  is  already  my  betrothed  husband,  and  though  he 
is  an  outcaste,  let  his  condition  be  my  condition.”  So,  like  Ruth  of  old, 
she  turned  from  her  home  and  friends  and  started  for  the  Christian  village 
where  Gopal  had  found  a  home.  True , love,  never  wanting  in  means  of 


32 


communication,  had  whispered  to  Gopal  of  Kamini’s  fidelity.  Overwhelmed 
with  joy  he  lifted  his  tearful  eyes  to  Heaven  in  grateful  prayer  that  God  had 
given  back  to  him  his  beloved  Kamini.  Immediately  he  secured  a  place 
for  her  in  a  Christian  family  and  set  out  to  escort  her  to  the  village.  Her 
arrival  created  a  stir  in  the  quiet  Christian  village.  Some  wondered  at, 
some  admired  her  fortitude,  while  the  heathen  sneered  at  her  strange  deci¬ 
sion. 

With  none  did  her  arrival  excite  greater  interest  than  with  Lilawote. 
Now  she  was  ready  to  give  an  answer.  She  quickly  announced  to  Gopal 
that  she  was  and  had  been  both  willing  and  intending  to  marry  him. 
Again  he  sought  his  Christian  teachers.  They  heard  his  story,  examined 
the  case  and  decided  that  he  would  be  justified  in  marrying  Kamini — that 
Lilawote  deserved  to  reap  the  fruit  of  her  own  folly. 

Once  more  Gopal’s  sorrow  was  turned  to  rejoicing,  but  not  so  with 
Lilawote.  Gopal  hastily  prepared  a  house  and  when  all  was  ready  the 
happy  two  were  made  one. 

And  now  in  a  simple  native  hut  you  will  find  two  happy,  contented 
hearts,  verifying  Kamini’s  own  words,  “If  our  minds  are  happy  we  want 
nothing.”  Kamini  was  taught  from  her  childhood  to  observe  the  customs 
of  Hinduism  and  to  despise  Christianity  as  an  unclean,  heinous  thing. 
She  now  renounces  all  and  desires  to  learn  and  obey  the  teachings  of 
Christianity,  God  grant  that  many  others  may  have  the  fortitude  to  break 
the  fetters  of  sin  and  idolatry  and  come  out  into  the  glorious  light  and 
liberty  with  which  Christ  has  made  His  people  free. 

July  20,  i8j8. 


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